Think of tree seeding as a three-legged stool, with each leg being critical to success. The first leg is the soil and site qualities, the second leg is seed quality, and the third leg is precise seeding spacing and population, quality seed-to-soil contact, and accurate seed depth. Direct tree seeding is an important part of growing trees, especially in riparian areas, field borders, wildlife plots, and in conservation plantings. You want to capitalize on the strengths of shrubland regeneration and the natural forest. In addition to these benefits, there are several other major benefits of tree seedlings during restoration, including:
Tree Seedling Are Easy To Plant
One of the greatest benefits, aside from low cost, is easy planting. Saplings are compatible with a diversity of other trees and shrubs. For large planting areas, drills are a much less laborious option when planting saplings than a transplanter and tractor. Even for smaller-scale projects, planting rows of small saplings is much simpler than hauling in a giant tree with formed roots.
Tree Seedling Offers Effective Weed Control
Most large-scale tree seeding projects require extensive tilling which exposes the soil to weed seed germination. The result is the immediate disadvantage in the fight against weed control. However, by using cover crops planted ahead of the saplings, the covers outcompete the weeds which prevents seed germination.
Given that you can control the location of the saplings, you can minimize the required space to further protect against weeds and other unwanted plants. The high density of planted saplings outcompetes weeds above ground for sunlight and below ground with their root systems.
Head Start
Since seedlings have already started developing when you plant them, it gives you a considerable head start on the season. You can quickly have a nicely-developing tree before the winter months set in. This is because the maturity rate is much shorter than simply planting seeds at the beginning of the season and watering regularly, hoping for growth.
Since they are stronger and more mature, saplings are more resistant to pests and environmental elements. Many animals love snacking on seeds, so the risk of losing plants is much lower when planting saplings.
Low Cost
Every advantage on this list equates to a lower planting cost. Saplings are cheap and take much less time, money, and labor to plant than an entire tree. Effective weed control contributes to savings. Studies show that the direct saplingsprocess costs half of the bare-root planting process and even up to a quarter with some plantings.
You can even source wholesale saplings to save even more money. One excellent source of various saplings types is TN Nursery. This nursery has everything you need to successfully plant and grow your saplings into fully restored trees.
Species Diversity In Tree Seedling
Saplings make it easy to source and plant a diverse mix of shrubs and trees mixed throughout the planting area. It is much simpler to mix several compatible seedling types to increase the overall plant performance of the section.
Strong Roots
Trees grown from simple saplings always develop a better root system. Being able to access the subsoil moisture is critical to the tree's survival, especially during heat waves and dry spells in the summer, instead of solely relying on surface moisture.
There are countless advantages to using tree saplings or restoration. Saplings are as easy to find and source as seeds, especially in a wholesale format. So, save yourself the time, extensive labor, and money of purchasing and planting large trees or tiny seeds, and opt for tree seedlings! This will be the best decision you have made this week!
